Use the Longer Days of Spring to Try Shorter Types of Writing

Writing Inspiration

If you're like me, the sunshine and warmer breezes of early spring call you away from your desk more often than they should. Writing is hard work and you want to play. Use the new vigor that spring infuses into its longer brighter days to fuel your writing. Take your writing inspiration from the early festivals, fairs and sporting events emerging on your calendar. Experiment with shorter pieces. If you write poetry revisit the haiku form or write a shorter piece of free verse; challenge your self to say the same thing with fewer lines or words.

May is unofficially short story month. Try to write one or a few. The beauty of short stories rests on two elements, they're an exercise in discipline. They are also a more limited time commitment when compared to writing a novel.

This month is also National Runners Month. Write about your fitness practice or goals. A healthy body allows us to keep a healthy mind; don't neglect exercise in favor of your keyboard or pen. Better still, try taking it with you. Get a digital recorder, so you can keep track of ideas as you walk. If you run, it's still great thinking time. I've done some deep thinking on the treadmill.

Craft

The challenge of the short story is to get it right with less--fewer words, fewer characters and fewer events. The form forces a writer to discipline themselves and still convey an engaging and complete story. The short story is being re-embraced all over the Internet on Twitter and and in newsletters and on websites from publishers and authors. They are an effective and fun way to test drive ideas. On occasion a short story can become the seed of a longer piece, a novella or novel. 

Read a few of my short stories here. I'd love to receive comments.
Scribbles
Going Out


Resources

Oxford Bibliographies
Author Marketing Toolkit

On My Book Shelf

Click on the cover to learn more about the book or pick up a copy.

I'm reading this book at the moment, and it is a page turner. I'll review it next month. It's about a grisly murder in New York during the 1800s.

This tale about the relationship between an old man and a young woman in late adolescence proved intriguing and disturbing. I recommend it.

Action, adventure, science-fiction/fantasy and a little romance make this well written book a weekend read worth making the time.

Writing Inspiration In February

Romance, adventure and controversy (read conflict) are the key ingredients of great storytelling. They also feature in the events and holidays associated with the month of February. The month offers a treasure trove of inspiration for writers seeking ideas. Holidays and historic events, Presidents' Day, Valentine's Day, Mardi Gras, the Valentines Day Massacre and the assassination of Malcom X, mark the days of February. Here are a few links to previous February posts to get the ink flowing.

• Valentine's Day Truths Can Be Stranger Than Fiction
• Thoughts on Writing and Love for a Happy Valentine's Day
• How to Write A Love Letter Part I
• How to Write A Love Letter Part II

What Should You Say In Your Writing~How Much is too Much?

I was recently reading the August edition of O magazine and discovered a section discussing what it means to be a writer. Of particular interest is the section by Walter Mosley, "Write Your Novel This Year."

Mosley's approach to writing is passionate and pragmatic. At first glance, these two sensibilities may seem at odds; they are not. As he presents them, they are tempered and bonded by discipline. He advises that writing be a scheduled, daily event and if necessary wrenched from the rest of the day and sometimes other activities. He also cautions writers not to censor themselves as they write. Writers' stories are private property until published and cannot be subject to the sensibilities of Aunties and Cousins. If others find the story displeasing or too revealing, there is always forgiveness, or not.

This piece is an interesting and thought provoking read. It forces you to analyze why and how you write. Check it out. Unfortunatley, it is not featured on the O magazine website, so take a trip to Borders or Barnes & Noble, and pull up a chair.

Word for the Week

memoir

a record of happenings that is based on the writer's personal experience and knowledge

Electrify Your Writing: Subscribe to Newswires To Get The Latest News and Current Events

A writer's job is to communicate a specific set of events, within a given time frame, in a specific place or places while making it all believable in the case of fiction or authentic (read accurate and truthful) in the case of non-fiction or journalistic writing. In order to accomplish this goal, it's advisable that writers subscribe to a few newfeeds/wires. Writers need to stay abreast of news and current events to keep their well of writing ideas supplied.

Here are four of the best websites for writers in search of current news, current event updates, and writing ideas:

Associated Press--News
The New York Times--News, Culture and Commentary
Poynter--"Everything you need to know about being a journalist"
Bloomberg.com--Financial news

Many email providers now supply their users with a customizable homepage which also manages RSS feeds (example: My Yahoo! at yahoo.com). Check your email account to see if you have this option. You can also subscribe to RSS feeds and manage them using Bloglines.

Best of all, as long as you stick to current news and events coverage, these services are free. If you find yourself needing archived materials you may incur a charge to acquire it.

Five Ways To Hunt and Capture Great Writing Ideas

1. Scan the newspaper for stories that catch your eye. Who know's one might inspire you to write a manuscript in the tradition of Truman Capote.

2. Revisit a place that you used to frequent, but no longer visit quite as often or at all. Why did you used to go there? Why did you stop?

3. Listen to your local NPR station or visit npr.org. NPR is full of opportunities to cull news and features for ideas based on current events, historical references, and scientific discovery.

4. Make a list of the most interesting people you know or have known. How could you create a composite of their most outstanding characteristics to feature in your next story or novel?

5. Create a list of all of the places you'd like to visit. Then write about them. This will require stellar research and ideally a personal visit.